Automatic vacuum gear shift



April 9, l935- A H. E'. BIRKEMEIER 1,997,448

AUTOMATIC VACUUM GEAR SHIFT Original :Fli May 2, 1932 fsheets-Sheet l [fz fra/z fait' A Plil 9,1935 H. P. BIRKMEIER 1,997,448

AUTOMATIC VACUUM GEAR SHIFT Original Filgd May 2, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 O gw April 9, 1935.

AUTOMATIC VACUUM GEAR SHIFT A5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May 2, 1932 U 73 H. P. EURKEMEIERl v1,997,448

Apfl, i935. A H. P. BIRKEMEu-:R 1,997,448 AUTOMATIC VACUUM GEAR SHIFT I Original Filed May 2, 1952 `5l Sheets-Sheet A4 April 9, 1935.

H. PT. BlRKEMl-:IER 1,997,448 AUTOMATIC VACUUM GEAR SHIFT ifi() Patented Apr. 9, 1935 A UNITED` STATE AUToMA'rIo VACUUM GEAR SHIFT Henry P. Bateman-chicago, nl.

YApplication May-2, 1932,v Serlal No. 608,708

'l' `Renewed January 14, 1935 v j'z claims.' (0174-334) l y i This invention relates to an automatic vacuum gear shift specially designed and adapted for use in connection with a motor` vehicle employing an internal combustion engine provided with `an air intake manifold. An object of the invention is the provision of mechanism utilizing the air suction or partial vacuum possible of creation by means of a connection to the air intake manifold for the purpose of effectuating the shifting of the gears for the different speeds and for the` reverse position. Af further object of the invention is the provision of improvedmeansin the 4 formfof a` convenientlymounted control lever adapted to operate a valve provided with a plurality of ports and 'air passageways connected to cylinders within which are slidably mounted pistons` having connecting `rods Voperatively associated with the lower portion of the usual gear shift lever whereby to actuate the latter by means of air suction orvthe partial vacuum described. An additional object is the inclusion of novel mechanism operatively associated with the driving mechanism of the motor vehicle in such manner as to automatically effect shifting of the -5' gears in accordance with different rates of speed as predetermined,l which automatic operation is completed by mere depression of the clutch pedal.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. The invention consists in theA combinations ariel arrangements of parts hereinafter described `and claimed.

The inventionwill be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming. a

part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a general side elevational lview of the mechanism or apparatus operatively Vvconnected to the gear shifting mechanism of a motor vehicle, and illustrating the intake manifold connection, the clutch pedal and clutch air valve,`

40 as well as the control valve with the control lever,

the various piping or tubular connections, and' the mechanical connection for the automatic operation;

Fig. 2 is a detail view show-ing the bracket providedA with notches for positioning the control lever at different selected positions', and the col- 'lar for connection to the steering column;

Fig. 3 is an enlargedV horizontal sectional view of the piston actuating mechanism, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. v1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical-sectional view, taken substati-A tially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail control valvemounted in the left cylinder shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and brought into operation in sectional view of the detent or high speed. In the illustrative embodiment automatically' shifting from iirst speed to second Speed;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the'automaticmechanis'm and the main control valve, taken substantially on the line 6--6 5 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the control valve in the first neutral position; Y

Fig. 'lis a plan View of the stationary base por-y v tion of the main control valve; p Y.

\ Fig. -8 is a plan view, partially broken away, 10 showing the 'rctatably'mounted disc portion of thev main control valve;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the'main control valve and the tubular connections, togetherwith the mechanism for effectuating the automatic shifting of the gears;

"Fig. 10 is a detail View of the vertically movable cam member operatively connected to the automatic mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a detail vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line I I--ll of Fig. 6, showing `the detent valve in engaged position when the .of theengine and adapted to be operatively associated with the clutch foot pedal;

Fig. 13 is a partial view of the main control valve, showing the registry` of the various air ports when the rotatably mounted discportion has-'been moved to the reverse position, or the 35 4 position to cause the gears to be shifted so as to reverse thel direction of the vehicle `when the clutch is brought into engagement;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, stantially on the line l4-`|4 of Fig. 13; 0

Fig. 15 is a View, similar to Fig. 13, showing the main control valve in position to shift the gears for rst speed, as hereinafter more particularly described; Y

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line I6I6 of Fig. 15; l

FigQl'Z is a view similar to Fig. 15, showing the position of the main control valve for shift ing the gears into second speed; l v

Fig. 18 is a verticalsectional view, taken subr stantially on theline l8--l8 of Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 19 is a view, similar to Figs. 15 and 17, but showing the position of the main control 4valve when in position to shiftthe gears into third of the invention"dis'cicsf:d three forward speeds and one reverse vare employed, but it will be under stood that modifications may be adopted ywith- Y in the scope and spirit of the invention.

Fig. 20v is a vertical sectionalview, taken substantially on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19.

' Thepreferred embodiment of the invention is shown Yoperatively connected to a motor vehicle, and by particular reference to Fig. 1 a specially designed cylinder housing 23 is adapted to replace the usual transmission case cover and be Y nated as the gear shift lever to facilitateV description, and it will be understood that rthe con-1 struction'is the same as that usually employed except that the upper gear shift lever 26vis removable and rendered dispensable in theV present invention except in cases of emergency.V Also, as shown in Fig. 4, thelower ball extremity- 29 of the gear shift lever 28 is operatively associated with the usual gear shifting fork plate l3|! Ycarrying shifting forks 3| for shifting the driving gears '32 into the various positions for different speeds forward and for reverse. It will be understood that this construction is standard, and it istherefore unnecessary toV explain the mechanism in detail.

'I'he cylinder and piston mechanism illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and adapted to be superposed upon the gear shift housing, comprise a rear cylinder 33 which, for convenient reference Vin description will'be designated herein as cylinder No. and within which is slidably mounted piston 34. Cylinder 35, disposed longitudinally forward of lcylinder 33, may be, designated herein as cylinder No.y 2 for convenience, and has slidably mounted therein piston 36. As clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, vpistonsY 34 and 36 are rigidly connected by connecting rod 31 having anintermediate slotted portion 38 to allow for transverse or crosswise movement or VVshifting of vthe lever 28. The slotted portion 38 also serves to engage the gear shift lever 28 for shifting the latter forwardly and rearwardly. The assembly described also includes a cross shift cylinder 39 within which is slidably mounted piston 40, to which is connected a rod member 4|. As illustrated in Fig. 3, rod 4| 'carries a triangular shaped cross shifting member 42 provided with a rod 43 slidably mounted in guide 44.

The shifting lever28 is normally maintained against the surface 45 of member 42 by means oftension-spring 46 which rides inra groove in the member 42 to permit of relative longitudinal movement of lever 28, but which is adapted to urge or maintain the,'.,-latter in continuous contact withV the surface..45. It will be noted that the pistons 34 and 36,',together with the connecting rod 31, are adapted to travel in a perpendicularly opposite direction from the travel Vof piston y4|! and'connecting rod 4| and .member 42, and

for the purpose of normally maintaining or bringing pistons 34 or 36 to the neutral position VAshown in Figs. 3 and 4, there are provided a pair of equalizing tension springs 41 and 48, connected respectively to the pistons 34 and 36;,an'd to the triangular cross shift member 42. 'I'he cross shifting member 42 and the cooperating gear shift lever 28 is normally maintained toward the right, or

in a downward position when viewed as in Fig. 3,

Ygears into secondspeed forward, cross piston 40 is moved upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3, or toward the left in normal operation, and piston 34 in No. cylinder, or cylinder 33, is moved rearwardly or -toward the left by reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Correspondingly, 4when the cross tpiston 48 is in the same shifted position and piston 36 is moved toward the right. in cylinder No. 2, or cylinder 35, the driving gears are shifted into third speed forward. y Y

Piston 34 in cylinder- No. I, or cylinder 33, is adapted to be drawn toward the left forV the purpose described by means of a partial vacuum created in chamber 56 through an air suction controlconnected to the air intake manifold of the engine, later more particularly described, and for Y this purpose cylinder 33 has connected thereto an air pipe For the same purpose, and to create a partial vacuum in chamber 52 of cylinder No.

2, or cylinder 35, the latter hasjrconnected thereto an airV pipe orrtube 53. Also, Vcross shift cylinder 39 has connected theretoair pipe 54 for Ycreating a partial vacuum and consequent air suction in chamber 55 to cause movementY of piston 40 upwardly, as from the position shown in Fig. 3, or toward the left in usual practical oper- Y ation.

Pipe 5| of No. cylinder, or cylinder 33, is connected to the base of stationary plate 56er the main control valve51 and terminates in acircular air port 58, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. Following the connections of the several other pipes between the cylinders and the plate 56, pipe 53V of cylinder No. 2, or cylinder 35, is connected to the base of plat'e 56 to terminate in a circular air port 59., Pipe 54 of cross shift cylinder 38 is connected to plate 56 to terminate. in one end of a grooved port 60, the opposite end of which is connected to'arelatively short arcuate pipe 6|, more Yclearly shown in Fig. 9, which is mounted beneath the plate 56, and the opposite end Vof which'pipe terminates in an air port 62, offering communication upon the upper surface of plate 56.

Connected to the air intake manifold 63 of the engine 64 is an air suction pipe 65 vwhich leads to a clutch air valve 66 provided with a rotary core 61 having an angular air passageway 68 (see'Figs. 1 and 12). Core 61 is connected to operating arm 69, the end ofwhich carries a pin adapted to be engagedin slotted portion V1li of operating rod 1| carrying enlarged head 12. The arm 68 and associated-parts are normally maintained in the position shown in' Fig. 12 by means of a tension springj13 connected to theY part of the Ydownward travel -a laterally extending projection 11 Vcontacts with head 12, causing (see Fig. 7) Thus it will be understood that nor` mally communication is closed between pipe 65 and pipe 18, but that this communication is opened by depression ofthe clutch pedal 16` and the consequent depression of the valve control rod 1|.

The slotted portion 10`of rod 1| is provided for the purpose of accommodating different adjustments of the clutch pedal 16. Y

The periphery of the plate 56 is preferablyprovided with a circular upwardly extending .flange 82 for the retention of a rotatably mounted disc 83, shown in Fig. 8, which is loosely mounted upon a vertically extending shaft -84 secured to the base plate, as shown in Figs. 14 and 18. Disc 83 is preferably provided with la central opening 85, within which is arranged bearing 86. A small i compression spring 81 is interposed between `bearing 86 and collar 88 on the shaft ,84 for normally maintaining' the'disc 83 in airtight slidable contact with plate 56. Secured above the collar 88 on shaft 84 is a coil spring89, the opposite end of which is aflixed toV pin 90 on disc 83. This is for the purpose of normally urging disc 83 in a clockwise'direction from the position shown in Fig. 6. Also loosely mounted upon the stationary' shaft 84 between collar 9| and nut 92 is an Ioperating. arm 93, adapted normally when in initial or first neutral position, hereinafter more deflnitely described, to rest against a stop 94 mounted on the flanged portion 82 of plate 56. As shown in Fig. 6, operating arm 93 extends radiallyfrom the central shaft 64, and the clockwise movement of disc 83 is limited by a stop 95 mounted upon the disc 83 and adapted to contact with operating arm 93. Referring to Fig. 6, a'tension springl 96 is preferably connected to operating arm 93 and to a pin 91 upon disc 83 to assist in rotating` disc 83 in a 'clockwise direction when arm 93 is swung ina corresponding direction, as later de- Pivotally mounted upon the outer extremity of operating arm 93 is a bell crank 98as shown in Fig. 6, the short arm of whichis connected to a relatively stiff but` flexible operating wire 99 which may be encased if desired, and the long arm of which is ccnnected to a jointed-rod |00 slidably mounted in a laterally extending boss I0| mounted on theloperating arm 93. Rod- |00 lpreferably carries Va collar |02 adapted to bear.

against a small compression spring |03 mounted in anopening in the boss |0| and adapted to urge the rod |00 outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6. The opposite end of wire99 is connected to control lever v|04 -pivotal1ymounted upon bracket |05, -as shown in Figui, which Ais secured to the steering-column |06 by means of a-sleeve |01. As shown in Fig. 1, control lever |04 is adapted to be placed or moved forwardlyl to seven positions, namely, a lfirst neutral posi- ,tion |08, aY second neutral position |09, an off position |I0, a reverse position |||,a first speed" forward position I|2, a second speed forward position ||3, and a third speed forward position II4. e p i To obtain greater accuracy in the positioning of lever |04 in the first, second, and third speed positions, bracket |05, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a notch H5` for ther'st speed position, a second notch II6-for the second speed position, and a `third notch ||1 for the third speed position'. By Ythis construction and arl rangement, when control lever |04 is shifted forwardly from the position shownin Fig. 1 it serves to push the operating wire 99 and swing arm 83 in a .counter-clockwise directionV from the position shown in Fig. 6. This also serves to rotate` the disc 83 in a counter-clockwise direc- Y i tion for bringing the various ports into registry, Y

as'latervdescribed. When the control lever` |04 is rotated or swung toward Vthe left from any position to whichk it has. been operated, as by reference. to Fig.;1, jointed rod |00 is moved inwardly and its extremity engages stop 95 on disck 83, thereby serving to swing the latter in a clockwise direction back tothe position shown in Fig.

6, in assistance to said tension spring 96 as Well Y as coil spring 89.

'I'he disc 83 is provided` on its periphery with apair of spring-pressed balls ||8 and |I8 (see Fig. 3) and lwhen the disc is in the first speedA position shown in Fig. 15, ball I |8`rests in a pocket |20 of the flange 82 for the' purpose of securing more positive positioning. In the second speedvposition as shown Vin` Fig. 17, ball ||8 is engaged inra second pocket |2|, and ball ||9 then rests in the first pocket |20. In the third speed positionshown in Fig. 19, ball ||9 rests in pocket I2I. It will be noted that pockets |20 and |2I are joined by inclined sides to facilitate passage of the balls I|8- and II9, and definite positioning of said disc 83 for the three forward speeds to obtain positive registry of thevarious ports is thus provided for.

By reference Ato Figs; 6 and 8, it is seen that disc 83 is provided with five air ports which extend through the disc and thus oifer communication to the atmosphere, numbered consecutively |22, |23, |24, |25, and |26. The under surface of disc 83 has a radialiyextending relatively short groove port |21, and also a relatively longer groove port |28.

When the control valve is in the first neutral position, shown in Fig. 6, thelongport |28 offers communication `between pipes 6| and '80, also connecting grooved ports 60 .and 19 of plateA 56, and thus offering'communication to pipe 18 con` neoted to the clutch air valve 66.' The pipe 54 to the `cross, shiftV cylinder is also placed in comthe cross shift piston 40 is operated upon, but

the air connections` are then` closed and there is no passage orV leakage of air into the intake In `the second neutral position, the cross shift cylinder 39 is opened to the atmosphere when the clutch air valve is operated,'inasmuch as air port |22 is shiftedin communication with the .grooved port of plate 56. Also in' this posiposition vreleases the vacuum or air suction in the cross shift cylinder 39, allowing the parts to be brought tothe positionV shownin Fig. 3 by l7o cylinder 35 is not opened to the atmosphere even though' the clutch air valve is operated. This means of the tension springs 49 ready for shifting of the gears into position for reverse or for first speed forward.

In the third or off position IIO of Fig. 1, all of the cylinders 33, 35, and 39 are opened to the atmosphere when the clutch airvalve is operated by means of port |22 being brought ,in communication with port 60, of pipe 54, Vport |23 being brought .into communication with port 59, of pipe 53, and port |24 being brought into communication with port 58r of pipeA 5|. If the gears are Vin position for :the third speed forward, and it is desired to bring them into neutral position, the disc 83 must be rotated to pass through the olf position, which releases the air in the cross shift cylinder 39, allowing the lever 28 to be swung to the position shown in Fig. 3 by means of spring 49.

In the fourth or reverse position I I, shown-in Fig. 13, cylinder 35 of Fig. 3 is opened to the atmosphere when the clutch valve is operated by means of port |24 being brought into communication with port V59 of pipe 53. The cross shiftcylinder 39,is not opened to the atmosphere in this position, but the piston 40 is pulled to the position shown in Fig. 3 bymeans of the springs 49. No I cylinder, or cylinder 33, in this position is placed in communication with the intake manifold 63 through pipe 65 and the connected pipes, by reason of the fact thatport 58 of pipe 5| is in .communication with groove port |21, which is also in communication with groove port 19 and consequently pipe 18 leading to the clutch valve 66. l'Ihus when the 'clutch valve 66 is operated, the gears are shifted into rever/se position` and remain in this position when the clutch valve is released, allowing the operator to depress the accelerator and reverse the automobile. A similar operation occurs in all of the following different positions except for the automatic operation later described.

In the rst speed position H2, as shown in Fig.

y I5, the cross shift cylinder 39 is not opened to the atmosphere, as shown in Fig; 13, but cylinder 35 is placed in communication'with the intake manifold by reason ofthe registry of ports 59, 19, and |21, 'and pipe 18, but in this position cylinder 33, or No.1 cylinder, is opened to the atmosphere by reason of the registry of ports |25 and 58.`

In the second speed position I I3, shown in Fig. 17, port |25 is placed in communication with port 59 of pipe 53, placing cylinder 35 open to the atmosphere. No. I cylinder, or cylinder 33is placed incommunication with the intake manifoldby reason of the registry of ports 19 and |28, and port 60 of -the cross shift cylinder 39, by communication through pipe 54. Thus it will be understood that in this position both cylinders 33 and 39 are placed in communication with the intake manifold when the clutch air valve is operated.

1n the final position, for third speed forward, as shown in Fig. 19, the cylinder 35 and the cross shift cylinder 39 are, placed in communication with the intake manifold by reason of the registry of ports 59, 60, 19, and |28, and in this position the cylinder 33 is opened tothe atmosphere by reason of the registry of ports 58 and |26. I

By reference to Fig. 3, when the gears are shifted from rst speed to secondspeed forward, surface |29 of the triangular member 42 contacts with the shifting lever 28 and serves to assistin bringing the latter to the central or neutral position. Similarly, surface |29' assists. in shifting the gear shift lever A28 to the neutral position when lever 28 is shifted from the reverse position. The

shown in Fig. A3 Vwhen the various gears are not in driving engagement and when there is no suction being exertedA upon the pistons. In lieu of Y Y employing pistons of the character illustrated, it will be understood that other air responsive means Vsuch as diaphragms maybe employed.

v Under normal driving conditions, the inven- V vtion contemplates rendering the gear shifting and lthe controlling mechanism automatically responsive to the speed of thevehicle, and in the preferred embodiment illustrated this is accomplished by utilizing the speedometer shaft for the actuating 'of automatic mechanism for advanc-l ing the control valve `disc 83 at different rates of speed. Referring to Fig. 1, the speedometer drive shaft is contained within a sheathing |30 and is driven by a. gear I3I, which inA turn is driven by a worm |32 upon the main drive shaft. Referring to Figs. 1 and 9, the speedometer drive shaft |33 extends vertically and is journaled in the automatic mechanism housing |34 which may be affixed to the instrument board as shown in Fig. I, and to which is also secured bracket |35 adapted to support the control valve v51. YThe speedometer shaft then continues tooperate speedorneter |36. Within the housing |34 the shaft |33 is preferably provided with a collar |31 for supporting the shaft in operative postition, and adjacent the upper portion of the shaft withinl the housing |34 there is keyed a transverse member |38, to the ends of which are pivoted a pair of governors having inwardly extending arms |39 and depending weighted portions I40.` The inner extremities of the arms I39'preferably carry rollers whichv bearagainst the upper surface of slide I4| loosely mounted upon shaft |33.

Pivotally mounted adjacent one side ofthe housing |34 is Van arm |42, the end of which is preferably bifurcated to provide portions |43, as shown in Fig. 6, having slotted extremities adapted to engage pins |44 projecting laterally from the slide I4|. A vertically movable rod |45 is siidably mounted in theglower portion of the. Y

housing |34, as shown in Fig. 9, and has itsV upper end connected to arm .|42 by means of link |46. The lower extremity of the rod |45 extending beyond the housing |34 carries arcam member |41 having an inclined cam .surfacel portion |48, and also provided with van arm -I 49 which has a depending portion |50 vand a laterally extending V portion |5I. Mounted upon the upper surface of disc 83 is a shoe |52 having a diagonally inclined surface |53 in its lower portion.. In placing the mechanism in operative position for driving, theV control lever |04 is shifted to the first speed position I I2, shown in Fig. 1, and this serves to rotate disc 83 in a counter-clockwise direction to .the position shown in Fig. I5, where shoe |52 is- `vertically beneath and adapted to be engaged'by the inclined cam surface |48 of the cam |41. The

clutchpedal 16 is thengdepressed, causing theV of notch |56 over detentv |55,is

1,997,448 v As the speed of the vehicle increases, cam |41r is forced downwardly by reason of the fact that the weighted portions 40 are caused to swing outwardly under centrifugal force, which causes automatic turning of disc` 83 tothe second speed position shown in Fig. 17 when the speed thas reached a predetermined point, for example, ten

miles per hour as a changing point between irst `and second speeds. Any suitable speed selection- 4may beadopted by proper formation and adjust` ment of the parts, and the same is true with respect to the change Vbetween second and third speeds.

When the second speed position of the disc 83y has been reached, it is desirable to arrest the upwardly by means of compression spring |54 surrounding shaft `|33 and interposed between slide |4| and' collar |31, but when the second speed position explained has been reached, the travel of disc 83 is arrested by means of a detent |55, shown in detail in Fig. 11, which engages a notch |56 on the under surface of the disc 83. As illustrated, detent |55 is normally urged upwardly by spring |51, andthe arrangement is such that the movement of disc 83 in a counterclockwise direction'is arrested, but 'movement of the disc 83 in a clockwise direction, and passage permitted without any arresting operation.

The detent casing |58 is connected by pipe |59 to a detent operating valve |60, shown in detail in Fig. 5, and provided with an operating pin |6| which projects within cylinder 33 and is adapted to be shifted by the endof piston 34 when the latter approaches the lir'nit of its movement toward the left from the position shown in Fig. 3.'

This operation serves to Vunseat the valve |62 carried upon pin I6 in such manner that when the suction is present in chamber 50 of cylinder 33, not only is the piston drawn tc the left, but detent valve |50 is opened, withdrawing detent |55 and permitting continued movement of disc 83.

i As shown in Fig. 5, the valve |62 is heldin closed position by' spring |63.v Thus, even though a speed in excess of. tlie normal second speed is reached, travel of disc 83 is not permitted ybeyond second speed position, and cam |41 is maintained in this-position by engagement of shoe |52 holding'slide |41 in the second speed vertical position' against the downward pressure oi' arms |39. When the clutch pedal 16 is depressed` after disc 83 has reached second speed position described, and valve 66 is opened by this operation, the gears are automatically shifted through the air suction described to second speed posi. tion, and release of the clutch pedal and consequent engagement of the clutch causes driving engagement of the driving gears in second speed position.

r Assuming, however, that the speedof the vehicle has exceeded the normal second speed, de-

pression of the clutch pedal 16 will not only cause shifting of the gears into second speed position, but if the clutch pedal is maintained in a depressed position for a relatively short interval of time, shifting of the gears from second speed position to third speed position will also be completed. 'I'his is accomplished `by reason of the i'act that when the shiftinto second speed position is made, piston 34 strikes against pin |6 I, causing the withdrawal of detent. .|55and permitting the continued rotation of disc 83 to-third speed position. Valve 00 being maintained in proper position to offer communication between pipes 85 "and 18, the gears are then shifted into thirdvspeed position, and upon release of the `clutch pedal 16 and consequent clutch engagement, -the vehicle Aproceeds under power with the gears shifted into position for third speed. A

After the vehicle is proceeding in. third speed,

the operator shifts control lever |04 to the second speed position ||3, shown in Fig. 1.in order to bring arm 93 to a position for contact by stop 95 when a second speed has been reached as the speed of the vehicle decreases. Upon this dcrease in speed, lateral portion 5| of arm |49, joined to the cam member |41, engages theinclined surface |53 of shoe |52, assisting inthe clockwise or returnxrotation of disc 83 as the'cam member |41 moves upwardly. It will be understood'that this upward movement 'of cam `|41 `is accomplishedlby reason of the fact that the Weighted members |40 descend under force of gravity as thecentrifugal force decreases in accordance with the decrease in the vehicle speed.

When the speed of the vehicle has decreased to the maximum second speed, or a speed lower than the maximum second speed, shifting ,of the gears to secondspeed is accomplished by depression of theAclutchpedal 16, as described in con- 'nection with the other shifting movements, and

the drivermay then adjust the control lever |04 to flrstspeed or on position as desired, inasmuch as Ithe vehicle may be brought to a stop from second speed (if desired. It will be understood that adjustment of the control lever |04 to reverse position is not madefunless the `vehicle has been brought to a stop...

Manual rotation of disc 83 in a return or clock. wise direction is accomplished by shifting control lever |04 toward the right from the position shown in Fig. 1 until arm 93 is brought in contact with stop05. Thereupon control lever |04 is shifted in the opposite direction, causing rod |00 to `be-moved inwardly to engage the stop 95.

The preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates pneumatic operation employing air suction inducedin the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine usually incorporated in a motor vehicle, although it is to be understood that should other pneumatic means be necessary or desirable for operating the mechanism, such alteration or adoption may be resorted to.

While I have illustrated and described the preL ferred form of construction 'for carrying my invention into effect,ithis is capable'of variation and modiiication without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish tobe limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modiiications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Mechanism for operating the gear shift lever of a motor vehicle, comprising a longitudinally movable member arranged toengage yand move said lever in a longitudinal direction, a transversely movable member arranged to engage and move said lever in a transverse direction, a 1ongitudinallv arranged cylinder, a piston slidable in said longitudinally arranged cylinder and connected to said longitudinally movable member, a a transversely arranged cylinder, a piston slidable in said transversely arranged cylinder and connected to said transversely movable `member,

pneumatic means operatively connected to saidV and means responsive to the speed of the vehicle Y for automatically placing ysaid pneumatic means in operative relation for-alteration of gear engagenient for different speeds as the speed of. the vehicle increases, said last named means comprising a centrifugally operable member operatively connected to the vehicle speedometer shaft.

3. Mechanism for operating the gear shift lever of a motor vehicle, comprising a longitudinally Vmovable member arranged to engage and move said lever in a longitudinal direction, a transverselymovable member arranged to engage and move said lever in a transverse direction, a longitudinally arranged cylinder, a piston slidable in said longitudinally arranged cylinder and connected to said longitudinally movable member, a transversely arranged cylinder, a piston slidable in said transversely arranged cylinder and connected to said transversely movable member,

pneumatic means operatively connected to said Vcylindersfor causing actua-tion of said pistons,

means responsive to the speed of the yvehicle for automatically placing said pneumatic means in operative relation for alteration of gear engagement for diierent speeds as the speed of the vehicle increases, said last named means comprising a centrifugally operable member operatively connected to the vehicle speedometer shaft,` and means under the control of the vehicle clutch pedal for causing actuation of said pneumatic means.

4. Mechanism for operating the gear shift lever of a motor vehicle, comprising opposed cylinders, a longitudinal member having a piston inv each of saidopposed cylinders, a slotted portion carried by said `longitudinal member and adapted to embrace said gear shift lever, a transversely arranged cylinder having therein a transversely movable member carryinga piston in said transversely arranged cylinder and having a portion for embracing said gear shift lever, and pneumatic means for actuating said pistons.

5. Mechanism for operating a gear shift lever of a motor vehicle comprising pneumatic means for shifting said lever to any required position for eii'ecting gear engagement or disengagement, valve means lfor controlling the eective connection of said pneumatic meansV for accomplishing the shifting of said lever, speed responsive means for controlling said valve means, and a stop element operating in combination with said valve means to cause a shifting of said gear shift lever into second speed regardless of excess speed built up inrst speed and also designed to maintain said valve means in said position regardless of the Yexcess speed built up in' second speed.

6. Mechanism for'operating a gear shift lever of a motor vehicle comprising pneumatic means for shifting said lever to any required position for effecting gear engagement or disengagement, valve means Vfor controlling the effective connection of said pneumatic means for accomplishing the shifting of said lever, speed responsive means for controlling said `valve means, a stop element operating in combinationlwth said valve means tov cause a shifting of said gear shift lever into second speed regardless of excess speed built up in first speed and also designed to maintain said valve means in saidposition regardless of the excess speedvbuilt up in second speed, and release mechanism for releasing said stop after a shifting into second speed has' been accomplished so that at greaterV speed said valve means-Will be in position to effect a connection of said pneumatic means for shifting said gear shift lever into third speed. n

7. Mechanism for operating a gear shift lever of a motor vehicle comprising pneumatic means for shifting said lever to any required position for eecting gear engagement or disengagement, valve means for controlling the eiective connection of said pneumatic means for accomplishing the shifting ofV said lever, speed responsive means, for controlling said valve means, a stop element operating in combination with said valve means to cause a shifting of said gear shift lever into second speed regardless of excess speed built up in iirst speed and also designed to maintain said valve m-eans in said position regardless of the excess .speed built up in second speed, and a manually operable member for effecting a change in position of said valve means 'at the desire of the driver.

HENRY P. BIRKEMEIER. 

